Imprinting means for a computer access terminal

ABSTRACT

An imprinter for a computer access terminal having a keyboard and a transaction key for entering data into said terminal in response to data entered on the keyboard. The imprinter includes a frame for securing the imprinter to the terminal and a plurality of digit amount wheels which are rotatably mounted in the frame for representing a multi-digit number like price, and including various codes. The imprinter also includes a twinfingered pawl type indexing member for each digit amount wheel, which indexes the associated digit amount wheel one digit position each time the indexing member is actuated by an associated solenoid so that each digit amount wheel is successively indexed a predetermined number of digit positions corresponding to the associated digit entered on the keyboard upon actuation of the transaction key or upon receiving an online imprint signal. When the amount and codes are set on the digit amount wheels, a roller type platen travels back and forth over an embossed type credit card and the digit amount wheels to print on a credit-card voucher inserted in the terminal which can be operated on-line or off-line.

United States Patent Wagner et al. Oct. 7, 1975 IMPRINTING MEANS FOR ACOMPUTER ACCESS TERMINAL 57 1 ABSTRACT [75] Inventors: Charles H.Wagner; William R.

Beverley both of Kettering Ohio An 1mpr1nter for a computer access termnal havlng a keyboard and a transact1on key for entermg data mtoAssigneei NCR CorpOration, Dayton, Ohio said terminal in response todata entered on the key- [22] Film: June 6 1974 board. The imprinterincludes a frame for securing the imprinter to the terminal and aplurality of digit [21] App]. No.: 476,983 amount wheels which arerotatably mounted in the frame for representing a multi-digit numberlike price, [52 US. Cl 101/110; 101/45 and including variws P also [51]Int. Cl. B41J 1/60 cludes a,twm'fingered pawl 'i mdexmg membeflr for[58] Field of Search 101/1 10 45, 95, 99, 269 each digit amount wheel,wh1ch mdexes the associated digit amount wheel one digit position eachtime the [56] References Cited indeliiing melrlnber is actuated by} a1;associated solienoid so t at eac digit amount w ee is successivey in-UNITED STATES PATENTS dexed a predetermined number of digit positionscor- X responding to the associated entered on the key 3,422,754 H1969Bakard iev et al..... 101/110 X board upon actuation of the transactionkey or upon g'igg gf i al receiving an on-line imprint signal. When theamount 3:757:688 9/1973 Weber ......2:12:IIIIII II 101/45 and codes areSet the amount Wheels a roller 3,771,442 11/1973 Ditman 101/99 typePlate" travels back and forth embossed Primary Examiner-J. Reed FisherAssistant Examiner-Edward M. Coven Attorney, Agent, or Firm.l. T.Cavender; Albert L. Sessler, Jr.; Elmer Wargo 109 I as) lllll 6 ,9l92,93 94,95 9e 97 W 9 [921%[94/95/9 i I: l-Il-II 9 7 s, ,9 iii 23::

type credit card and the digit amount wheels to print on a credit-cardvoucher inserted in the terminal which can be operated on-line oroff-line.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Sheet 1 of7 3,91O 182 US. Patent 00. 7,1975

US. Patent Oct. 7,1975

Sheet F|(; 2 DISPLAY FOR N MERICS a STATUS 2\ INDICATORS /2O IMPRINTINGMEANS ,VSO

CONTROL 42 ELECTRONICS KEYBOARD Q CENTRAL MEANS COMMUNICATIONS l6 EMBOSSD H' CARD READER l6 FIG. 3

\ Q AMOUNT 62 7O CLEAR 24 ACCOUNT 72 RESET NUMERIC CODE ENTRY M R TKEYSO 9 CREDIT I P IN I SENO J CASH 4O 66 RETURN US. Patent Oct. 7,1975Sheet 3 of7 $910,182

w vm w mm wLm w mm w wm mivm m1 w mm mLm m-wm m m N-Nm 8 mm vm mm mm US.Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 5 of7 3,910,182

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Sheet 6 of 7 US. Patent 00. 7,1975

U.S. Patant (M11975 Sheet 7 of7 3,910,182

IMPRINTING MEANS FOR A COMPUTER ACCESS 1|; NAL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an imprintingmeans for use in a terminal, which can be operated on-line or off-line,for printing on a credit-card voucher inserted in the terminal.

In recent years, there has been a trend to provide retail businessestablishments with terminals which are interconnected with creditservice agencies and banking institutions to provide for on-line creditauthorization and on-line funds transfer with automaticsalesreceipt/credit-card -voucher imprinting. Additionally, the terminalcan be used for other on-line data transfers such as check verificationand account inquiries. The terminal can also operate as an off-linesalesreceipt/credit-card-voucher imprinter.

In the past, the credit-card voucher imprinters were usually manuallyoperated in that a credit card with embossed codes and printing thereonand a credit-card voucher were inserted in the imprinter, and thepurchase amount for the credit purchase was manually entered upon theimprinter. The imprinter also contained a code identifying the retailestablishment and a manually settable date printer. With the credit cardand voucher positioned in the imprinter, and the purchase amount enteredthereon, the operator then manually traversed an imprinter roller backand forth across the length of the voucher to imprint all the named dataon the voucher.

Efforts in the past have been aimed at automating the entry of a leastsome of the data on a credit-cardvoucher imprinter. One such effort isshown in US. Pat. No. 3,606,833 which shows a cash register and acredit-card-voucher imprinter which are interconnected so that purchaseamounts which are entered upon the cash register will be automaticallyentered upon the associated voucher imprinter. Another US. Pat. No.3,771,442 shows a zero-lock print wheel apparatus for an imprinter.

The present invention discloses a low cost, compact, reliable means forentering data like a purchase price and codes on an imprinting meanswhich is used in conjunction with a computer access terminal of the typedescribed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an imprinting meansfor a computer access terminal, having a keyboard means and atransaction key for entering data into the terminal for printing data ona record medium inserted in the terminal in response to data entered onthe keyboard means.

The imprinting means comprises a frame means for securing the imprintingmeans to the terminal and a plurality of amount wheel means which arerotatably mounted in the frame means for representing a multidigitnumber. I

Indexing means are provided for each amount wheel means forincrementally indexing the associated amount wheel means one digitposition each time the indexing means is actuated so that each amountwheel means is successively indexed a predetermined number of times ordigit positions corresponding to the associated digit entered upon thekeyboard means. Actuating means are provided for each indexing means toactuate the associated indexing means the associated predeterminednumber of times upon actuation of the transaction key or upon receivingan on-line imprint signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. l is a general view, inperspective, of a computer access terminal into which the imprintingmeans of this invention may be incorporated.

FIG.2 is a schematic block diagram showing how various elements of thecomputer access terminal are interconnected.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic diagram showing a keyboard associatedwith the computer access terminal.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the imprinting means of thisinvention showing a frame means for securing it to said terminal, amountwheel means thereon, and actuating means for setting various amounts onthe amount wheel means.

FIG. 5 is a side view in elevation, partially in cross section, andtaken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 to show details of an actuating meansassociated with the imprinting means for indexing the amount wheel meansthereof.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, showing anindexing means for indexing the amount wheel means and an actuatingmeans therefor, and is taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, showingadditional details of the indexing means associated with each amountwheel means, and is taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a general perspective view of a portion of the imprintingmeans of this invention, showing an aligner bar means for accuratelyaligning the amount wheel means with reference to a printing line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a general view inperspective of a computer access terminal 10 into which an imprintingmeans 12 of this invention may be incorporated. Before getting into thedetails of the imprinting means 12, it seems appropriate to discuss,generally, the general functioning of the terminal 10.

The terminal 10 (FIG. 1) may be a funds transfer terminal which has beendeveloped in recent years to provide retail establishments, inconjunction with credit service agencies and banking institutions, thecapability for online credit authorization and on-line funds transferwith automatic sales-receipt/credit-card voucher imprinting.Additionally, the terminal 10 can be used for other on-line datatransfers such as check verification and account inquiries. The terminal10 can also operate as an off-line sales-receipt/credit-card voucherimprinter.

The terminal 10 (FIG. 1) includes the imprinting means 12; aconventional display means 14 for displaying numeric information andvarious status and instruction indicators; a conventional entry keyboardmeans 16, for entering data upon the terminal 10; a conventional creditcard reader means 18; and a conventional control means 20 (shown inblock diagram in FIG. 2) for controlling the various elements andoperations of the terminal 10.

As previously stated, the terminal 10 (FIG. 1) will operate online oroff-line at the discretion of the operator. Because the controls andvarious communication techniques used with the terminal are not a partof this invention, any such conventional controls and techniques may beused. In general, an on-line transaction consists of the following fivephases:

I. Input;

2. Communications;

3. Output processing;

4. Imprinting; and

5. Termination.

If an on-line transaction is to be effected, the terminal display 14(FIGS. 1 and 2) will light up an indicator like Ready/Enter to indicatethat it is ready to accept data. If a credit purchase is to be made, theoperator will depress a credit key 22 (FIG. 3) on the keyboard means 16to indicate to the terminal 10, the type of transaction to be entered,and then he enters the amount of the purchase on the numeric entry keys24 and thereafter depresses an amount key 25. Depression of the amountkey 25 causes the preceding data (amount) to be entered into aninput/output buffer (not shown) which is part of the control means 20shown in FIG. 2. The operator may then insert a credit card 26, havingembossed printing thereon, into a slot 27 in the terminal 10 to passunder the card reader means- 18 (FIG. 1) to read the embossed AccountCode on the card 26 and transfer the card to the position shown indashed outline 26' by conventional transport wheels 28. The data readfrom the card 26 is conventionally transferred to control electronics30, shown in FIG. 2. The operator also inserts a credit-card voucher 32in the terminal 10 to slide between side frames 34 and 36 of theterminal 10 to receive the printing of the imprinting means 12, creditcard 26, manually settable date wheels 38 and related retail outletcodes. For an on-line transaction, the operator will then depress a sendkey 40 (FIG. 3) to transmit the data entered upon the terminal 10 to acentral communications center 42. If the purchase request and creditcard are valid, an imprint signal will be sent from the center 42 to thecontrol electronics causing the data entered upon the terminal to printon the voucher 32. Printing is effected by using a conventional, imprintroller means 44 which is traversed back and forth over the length of theentire voucher 32 by a lead screw 46 and associated drive means 48 shownonly belts 50, 52, and pulleys 54 and 56. The terminal 10 has a cover(not shown) which is removed to facilitate the showing of the elementsdescribed herein. The amount of the purchase is displayed on the displaymeans 14 along with any necessary instructions or lead through messagesto assist an operator in utilizing the terminal 10 as is conventionallydone. Because the general functioning of the terminal 10 along with thesequence of entering data into the terminal 10 may be conventional andis dependent upon the particular control means 20 utilized, no furtherdiscussion thereof is deemed necessary. After imprinting, the voucher 32may be removed, and the credit card 26 is exited from the terminal 10 bythe transport wheels 28 through a slot 58 in the terminal 10.

When an off-line transaction is to be conducted on the terminal 10, anda credit transaction is to be made, the operator merely depresses thecredit key 22 to indicate the type of fixed transaction, enters theamount of the credit purchase and/or codes on the numeric entry keys 24,and then depresses the amount key 25 to indicate that the data enteredis for the amount of the purchase. Thereafter, the credit card 26 andthe voucher 32 are inserted into the terminal 10 as previouslyexplained, and the operator depresses an imprint key 60 (FIG. 3) causingthe amount of the credit purchase and/or codes to be set upon theimprinting means 12, and the roller means 44 to be traversed back andforth over the length of the voucher 32 to imprint the data thereon aspreviously explained.

The keyboard means 16 (FIG. 3) of the terminal 10 has thereon the usualclear and reset keys 62 and 64, respectively, and has two fixedtransaction keys 66 and 68 (similar to the fixed transaction key 22 forcredit) for a cash transaction and for a return transaction,respectively. There is also provision for manually entering the creditcard number by depressing an account key 70 after the card number hasbeen entered upon the numeric keys 24, and for similarly enteringspecial codes via a code 72. Because these matters may be conventional,they are not described in detail.

The imprinting means 12 has a frame means designated generally as 74 inFIG. 4. The frame means 74 includes the side plates 76 and 78 which arepositioned in spaced parallel relationship with each other, and acentral plate 80 which is positioned therebetween and joined to the sideplate 78 by a horizontally positoned, joining plate 82. One end of sideplate 76 has a ninety degree section 84 integrally joined thereto asshown in FIG. 4. The side plate 76 and its section 84 and the side plate78 are maintained in spaced parallel relationship with each other by thecross bars 79 and 81 shown in FIG. 6.

The imprinting means 12 also includes a plurality of digit amount wheelmeans designated generally as 86 which are rotatably mounted on a rod 88whose ends are inserted into aligned holes 89 and 90 (FIG. 4) in theside plate 76 and central plate 80, respectively, and secured therein byset screws 87. The amount wheel means 86 includes digit amount wheelmeans designated generally as 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 and 98 whichare rotatably mounted on the rod 88 and are restrained from axialmovement thereon by the C- washers 100 and 102 which fit intocomplementary annular grooves on the rod 88.

Each of the digit amount wheels means 91 through 98 has an indexingmeans 103 (FIG. 6) associated therewith, for indexing the associateddigit amount wheel means one digit position each time the indexing means103 is actuated by an associated actuating means to be later describedherein. The indexing means 103 for each digit amount wheel means (91through 98) includes a digit wheel 91' through 98', respectively, havingembossed characters or digits 104 on the periphery thereof and a teethmeans 106 which is formed on the side of the associated digit wheel,like 92. The teeth means 106 includes a plurality of teeth 108 havingstraight sides which converge to form an included angle 110 (FIG. 6) ofapproximately 60 at the tips of the teeth and also form an includedangle 112 of approximately 90 at the base of the teeth. The teeth means106 is exactly the same for each of the digit amount wheel means 91through 98 and each teeth means 106 is formed on the same one side ofthe associated said digit amount wheel means.

The indexing means 103 (FIG. 6) also includes a pawl member, like 92-1for each digit amount wheel means, like 92. The pawl members arenumbered to correspond to their associated digit amount wheel means andare followed by a subscript l like 91-1, 92-1, etc., and because all thepawl members are alike, only a description of pawl member 92-1(associated with digit amount wheel means 92) will follow. The pawlmember 92-1 is generally U-shaped having a first end 1 14 and a secondend 1 16 which are in spaced parallel relationship with each other asshown. The pawl member 92-1 has a bushing 1 18 integrally formedtherewith, and the bushing 118 is pivotally mounted on a rod 120 toenable the pawl member 92-1 to pivot thereon. The rod 120 is positionedparallel to rod 88 which supports the amount wheel means 86, and the rod120 has a first end 122 which is press fitted into a hole in the sideplate 74 (FIG. 5) and the other end of the rod 120 has a reduceddiameter portion 124 which passes through a hole in section 84 of theframe means 74. A C-washer 126, placed in a complementary annular grooveon the reduced diameter portion 124 of the rod 120, retains the rod 120in the frame means 74.

When the pawl member 92-1 is in the position shown in FIG. 6, itsassociated digit amount wheel means 92 is aligned with a print line 128shown in FIGS. 1 and 8. In this position, the first end 114 of the pawlmember 92-1 is parallel to one side of a tooth 108 and parallel to oneside of an adjacent tooth 108 to partially align the associated digitamount wheel means 92 with reference to the print line 128. An alignerbar means designated generally is 130, and to be fully described laterherein, is used to accurately align each of the digit amount wheel means91-98 with the print line 128. As seen from FIG. 6, the pawl member 92-1is pivotally mounted on the rod 120 between its ends 114 and 116 withthe pivoting location being near the second end 116 of the pawl member92-1. The pawl member 92-1 also has a generally vertically aligned slot117 therein through which a pin 132 passes. The pin 132 is locatedbetween the ends 114 and 116 but closer to end 114 and is used to pivotthe pawl member 92-1 about the rod 120. That which has been described sofar relative to pawl member 92-1 is substantially identical for each ofthe pawl members 91-1, 93-1, 94-1, 95-1, 96-1, 97-] and 98-1. A

Each pawl member (91-1 through 98-1) has its own actuating meansassociated therewith to move the pawl member like 92-1 from a firstposition shown in solid outline in FIG. 6 to a second position shown indashed outline therein. When moving from the first position to thesecond position, the pawl member 92-1 will be pivoted about rod 120 in acounterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 6), and the first end 114will move away from the tooth 108 which it is shown as contacting, andthe second end 116 will approach the tooth 108' to contact it, causingthe digit amount wheel means 92 to rotate in a clockwise direction.During the time of indexing, the aligner bar means 130 is out ofengagement with the teeth 108. When the pawl member 92-1 reaches theposition shown in dashed outline, the second end 116 will have partiallyrotated the digit amount wheel means 92 one digit position, andthereafter when the actuating means pivots the pawl member 92-1 in aclockwise direction, the first end 114 thereof will engage the nextsucceeding tooth 108" to push it to complete the indexing of the digitamount wheel means 92 one digit position relative to the print line 128.During the time that the pawl member 92-1 is being pivoted between thefirst and second positions, one end, either end 11 or 116, is positionedbetween two adjacent teeth 108 of the digit amount wheel means 92 toprevent it from backing up or skipping one digit position of indexing.Each time the pawl member 92-1 is pivoted between the first and secondpositions described, the associated digit amount wheel means 92 isindexed one digit position relative to the print line 128.

The actuating means alluded to earlier for pivoting the pawl member 92-1between the first and a second positions shown in FIG. 6 is designatedgenerally as 134. The actuating means 134 includes a lever 92-2 havingone end pivotally mounted on a rod 136 and the remaining end pivotallyjoined to the pawl member 92-1 by the pin 132. The rod 136 is positionedparallel to rod and is mounted in the side plate 78 and the section 84of the frame means 74 in exactly the same manner as was rod 120. Becausethe digit amount wheel means 91 through 98 are positioned close to oneanother, there was not enough room for the associated actuating means tobe positioned next to one another due to the actuating means beinglarger than the associated said digit amount wheel means. Consequently,the actuating means for some of the associated digit amount wheel means91 through 98 had to be modified slightly to provide for nestabil'ity ofthe actuating means and for compactness of the imprinting means 12.Whenever possible, the elements of the actuating means will be given thesame basic number as the associated digit amount wheel means (91 through98) and will be followed by a dash and a number, as for example 92-2 forlever 92-2 for the digit amount wheel means 92. The lever 92-2 is offsetto accommodate the rod 120 and also has an offset portion 138 to whichone end of a short rod 140 (FIG. 5) is fixed, and the remaining end ofthe rod 140 is fixed to one end of a lever 92-3 whose remaining end ispivotally mounted on the rod 136. The lever 92-3 is pivotally joined tothe operating plunger 92-4 of an actuating solenoid 92-8.

Each time the actuating means 134 (FIG. 6) is energized, the associatedindexing means 103 will index the associated digit amount wheel means 92in the following manner. Prior to actuating the solenoid 92-8, thecontrol electronics 30 (FIG. 3) will conventionally actuate the alignerbar means to take it out of engagement with the teeth 108 of the digitamount wheel means (91 through 98), and when the solenoid 92-8 ismomentarily energized by the control electronics 30, the operatingplunger 92-4 thereof will be withdrawn, pivoting the lever 92-3 in acounter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6. Because the levers 92-3and 92-2 are interconnected by the rod 140, the lever 92-2 will alsopivot in a counterclockwise direction on rod 136, thereby pivoting thepawl member 92-1 from the first position shown in solid outline in FIG.6 to the second position shown in dashed outline, as previouslyexplained. The solenoid 92-8 has a C-type washer 141 placed in acomplementary annular groove on its plunger 92-4 to limit the movementof the plunger into the solenoid 92-8, and the elongated slot 117 (FIG.6) also limits the movement of the pawl member 92-1 between said firstand second positions. After the momentary energization of the solenoid92-8, the pawl member 92-1 will be rotated in a clockwise direction (asviewed in FIG. 6) by a tension type spring 142, having one end securedto the second end 116 of the pawl member 92-1 and the second end securedto a rod 144, to return the pawl member 92-1 to the first position shownin solid outline to thereby complete the indexing of the digit amountwheel means 92 one digit position relative to the print line 128. Therod 144 is fixed in the frame means 74 and there is one such spring 142for each of the pawl members 91-1 through 98-1 to operate upon theassociated said pawl members as just described. Each time the solenoid92-8 is momentarily energized, the associated digit amount wheel means92 will be indexed one digit position relative to the print line 128.

The actuating means for the amount wheel means 93 is identical to andoperates in the same way as the actuating means for amount wheel means92, and includes the lever 93-2, lever 93-3, and the operating plunger93-4 of a solenoid 93-8 as shown in FIG. 5. A rod 146 interconnects thelevers 93-2 and 93-3 by the same technique already described in relationto the actuating means for digit amount wheel means 92.

The actuating means designated generally as 148 for digit amount wheelmeans 95 is shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 7 and is substantially identical tothe actuating means 134 for digit amount wheel means 92 alreadydescribed. The actuating means 148 includes a lever 95-2 having one endpivotally joined to pawl member 95-1 and the other end pivotally mountedon the rod 136, and a lever 95-3 also mounted on rod 136 but axiallydisplaced from lever 95-3 as shown in FIG. 5. The levers 95-2 and 95-3are fixedly joined together by a rod 150 to enable them to be pivotedtogether. Lever 95-3 is pivotally joined to the operating plunger 95-4of a solenoid 95-8, and the actuating means 148 operates in the samemanner on its associated digit amount wheel means 95 as does actuatingmeans 134 for digit amount wheel means 92 already described.

The actuating means 152 for amount wheel means 91 is identical to theactuating means 148 just described, and includes the lever 91-2 whichhas one end pivotally mounted on the rod 136, and the remaining endpivotally joined to pawl member 91-1. A lever 91-3 also has one endpivotally mounted on rod 136 but is axially displaced from lever 91-2.These two levers 91-2 and 91-3 are fixedly joined by a rod 154 to enablethese levers to pivot together. The operating plunger 91-4 of a solenoid91-8 is pivotally joined to the remaining end of lever 91-3 to index thedigit amount wheel means 91 as previously described.

The actuating means designated generally as 156 for digit amount wheelmeans 94 is shown in FIGS. 4, and 7, and includes a lever 94-2 havingone end pivotally joined to the rod 136 and the remaining end pivotallyjoined to its associated pawl member 94-1. The operating plunger 94-4 ofa solenoid 94-8 is pivotally joined directly to the lever 94-2 which isidentical to lever 95-2.

The actuating means designated generally 158 (FIGS. 4 and 5) for digitamount wheel means 96 is somewhat different in construction from theseveral actuating means already described; however, it operates in thesame general manner. The pawl member 96-1 for digit amount wheel means96 is the same as pawl members 91-] through 95-1 already described;however, pawl member 96-1 has a lever 96-5 integrally formed with abushing 160 to which one end of a lever 96-5 is connected. A secondlever 96-6 has one end integrally formed with a bushing 162 which isalso rotatably mounted on the rod 120 but axially displaced from bushing160, and a third lever 96-7 also has one end integrally formed with thebushing 162. A rod 164 rigidly interconnects the free ends of the levers96-5 and 96-6 so that the lever 96-5 will be pivoted whenever the lever96-6 is pivoted. The free end of lever 96-7 is pivotally joined to theoperating plunger 96-4 of a solenoid 96-8.

The actuating means designate-d generally as 166 for the digit amountwheel means 98 (FIGS. 4, 5) is substantially the same as the actuatingmeans 158 just described. The actuating means 166 includes a pawl member98-1 which is pivotally mounted on the rod 120, as is the situation withall the pawl members, via a bushing 168 integrally formed on the pawlmember 98-1. A second lever 98-5 has one end integrally joined to thebushing 168, and this lever is angularly offset relative to lever 96-5to provide a clearance for the rod 164. The actuating means 166 alsoincludes a lever 98-6 having one end integrally formed with a bushing170 which is also rotatably mounted on the rod 120 but axially displacedfrom the second lever 98-5. A rod 172 rigidly interconnects the levers98-5 and 98-6 so that lever 98-5 will be pivoted whenever lever 98-6 ispivoted. A third lever 98-7 also has one end integrally formed with thebushing 170, and its free end is pivotally joined to the operatingplunger 98-4 of a solenoid 98-8. When the solenoid 98-8 is energized bythe control electronics 30, lever 98-7 will be rotated in acounterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 7) to pivot the associatedpawl member 98-1 via the levers 98-6 and 98-5 and the interconnectingrod 172 as previously explained.

The actuating means designated generally as 173 for the digit amountwheel means 97 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and includes the actuatingplunger 97-4 of a solenoid 97-8. The operating plunger 97-4 is directlyand pivotally joined to the pawl member 97-1 by a pin 132. Whenever thesolenoid 97-8 is energized by the control electronics 30, the pawlmember 97-1 will be pivoted to the first and second positions shown forpawl member 92-1 in FIG. 6

Locking collars 174 and 176 placed on rod 120 next to pawl member 91-1and bushing 170, respectively, in cooperation with spacer bushings 178and 180 maintain the pawl members 91-1 through 91-8 in alignment withtheir associated amount wheel means 91 through 98. Similarly, variousspacer bushings like 182, 184, 186, 188 and 190 (FIG. 5), among others,are positioned on the rod 136 to maintain the levers like 91-2, 92-2,etc. in alignment with their associated digit amount wheel means 91, 92etc. and to keep these levers operating in a plane which isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of rod 88. Suitable lockingcollars 192 and 194 placed next to levers 91-3 and 95-3, respectively,prevent axial movement of the levers therebetween on the rod 136. Thepawl members 91-1 through 98-1 are pivotally maintained in a planeperpendicular to the rod 88 by combs, like comb 195 placed betweenadjacent said pawl members as shown by the comb 195 which is placedbetween the pawl members 91-1 and 92-1 as shown in FIG. 6. Each of thecombs 195 is fixed to a support member 197 which in turn is fixed to theframe means 74.

The aligner bar means 130, alluded to earlier is shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and8, and includes an aligner bar 196 having one end 198 pivotally mountedon a rod 200 which is fixed in the side plate 76 and the central plate80. The aligner bar 196 has a plurality of teeth 202 which are formed onthe free end of the aligner bar 196. The teeth 202 are equidistantlyspaced along the axial length of aligner bar 196 with one such toothbeing provided for each teeth means 106 of the digit amount wheel means91 through 98. When the aligner bar is in the position shown, the teeth202 mesh with the teeth 108 of the teeth means 106 to prevent theassociated digit amount wheel means 91 through 98 from rotating. Thecentral plate 80 has a large hole 204 therein through which a rod 206passes. The rod 206 is positioned parallel to rod 88 and is insertedinto aligned holes in the aligner bar 196 as shown in FIG. 8 and is alsofixed to the operating plunger 208 of a solenoid 210 which is fixed tothe central plate 80 by a mounting plate 212. A tension-type spring 214(FIG. 8) having one end attached to the rod 206 and the other endsecured to the frame means 74 keeps the teeth 202 of the aligner bar 196in engagement with the teeth 108 of the teeth means 106. An additionalleaf spring 216 having the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 6 has oneend fixed to the aligner bar 196 by fasteners 218, and the other end isarcuately shaped to contact the digit amount wheel means 91 through 98as shown in FIG. 6. The leaf spring 216 has a length extending along therod 88 to enable it to contact all the digit amount wheel means 91through 98. The solenoid 210 has leads 220 connecting it to the controlelectronics 30, and when the solenoid 210 is energized thereby, theplunger 208 is withdrawn into the solenoid to thereby pivot the alignerbar 196 about rod 200 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 8) topull the teeth 202 out of engagement with the digit amount wheel means91 through 98 permitting them to be individually indexed. While thealigner bar 196 is out of engagement with the digit amount wheel means91 through 98, the leaf spring 216 is pushed slightly harder intoresilient engagement with the said digit amount wheel means to helpretain them in alignment with the print line 128 while they areindividually indexed. When the solenoid 210 is deenergized, the spring214 returns the aligner bar means 130 into engagement with the digitamount wheel means 91 through 98 to accurately align them with the printline 128.

Each of the digit amount wheels 91' through 98' has a lug 222 thereon(FIGS. 6 and 8) to cooperate with a switch means 224 (FIG. 6) providedfor each of said digit amount wheels to indicate when each of theassociated digit amount wheels is in a home position. When in the homeposition, a flat area 226, having no embossed digits or characters onthe associated digit amount wheel, like 91', is aligned with the printline 128. The switch means 224 is fixed to the frame means 74 by abracket 228 and includes a leaf spring 230 which has an arcuately shapedend 232 to contact the associated lug 222. A second leaf spring 234having an electrical contact 236 thereon is normally spaced from a thirdleaf spring 238 having an electrical contact 240 thereon. An insulatingcontact 242 on leaf spring 230 isolates the leaf spring 230 from theleaf spring 234, and the leads 244 of the switch means 224 are connectedto the control electronics 30.

The operation of the imprinting means 12 is as follows. After theterminal is turned on and during the normal ready-up cycle of theterminal 10, or when a clear 62 or a reset key 64 is depressed, solenoid210 is energized to take the aligner bar means 130 out of engagementwith the digit amount wheel means 91 through 98. Thereafter all of thesolenoids 91-8 through 923-8 are repetitively energized to index the associated digit amount wheel means 91 through 98, respectively, in aclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 6) until the lug 222 on theassociated digit amount wheel like 92 engages the leaf spring 230 of theassociated switch means 224 forcing the contact 236 into engagement withthe contact 240 on leaf spring 238 as shown to close a circuit to thecontrol electronics 30, which in turn, prevents the associated solenoidlike 92-8 from being further energized as part of the readyup cycle.When all the digit amount wheels 91 through 98 are indexed as justdescribed, all said wheels will be positioned as shown in FIG. 6, andthe blank portions 226 of each of said wheels willl be aligned with theprint line 128. When this occurs, the imprinting means is ready to beindexed to reflect an amount entered on the keyboard means 16.

After a purchase amount and/or codes are entered upon the keyboard means16, and the amount key 25 is depressed, the data therefor is transferredto the control electronics 30 as previously described. With the creditcard 32 and a credit/sales voucher 32 (FIG. 1) in place as previouslydescribed, the imprinting on the voucher 32 is effected by a signalresulting from depressing imprint key 60 or by an on-line imprint signal(if on-line) from central communications 42. If an amount like $21.50 isto be entered on the digit amount wheel means 86, the first digit amountwheel 91' will be repetitively indexed four times. To accomplish this,the control electronics 30 will energize the solenoid 91-8 four times toalign a 2 on digit amount wheel 91 with the print line 128. The solenoid92-8 will similarly be energized three times by the control electronics30 to align a l on digit amount wheel 92 with the print line 128. Thesolenoid 93-8 will be energized seven times by the control electronics30 to align a 5 on digit amount wheel 93 with the print line 128, andsimilarly solenoid 94-8 will be energized two times to align a 0 ondigit amount wheel 94' with the print line 128. The voucher 32 may bepreprinted to show the location of the decimal point in the amountprinted and to also show the codes set upon the digit amount wheels 91'through 98. Obviously, the location of the amount and codes and thenumber of digits allocated to amounts and codes is a matter of design orchoice. The digits 104 on the digit amount wheels 91 through 98 are allidentical and are positioned on the periphery of each said wheel in azero to 9 series. It is necessary to index each digit amount wheel 91through 98 two digit positions from the home position (represented bythe flat areas 226) to reach the first digit in the series which digitis a zero. Because the control electronics 30 to effect energization ofthe solenoids 911-8 through 98-8 and solenoid 210 and the variouselements like card reader means 18, roller means 44, etc., may beconventional, no further discussion is deemed necessary. Each of thesolenoids 91-8 through 98-8 is connected by energizing leads like 245shown in FIG. 7, and is mounted in a plate 247 secured to the framemeans 74.

The imprinting means 12 is secured to the underside of plate 88 viafasteners (not shown) passing through plate 248 into the mounting holes246 (FIG. 8) so that a character or digit 104 on a digit amount wheel91' through 98' to be used for printing lies above the top surface ofplate 248 as shown in FIG. 1. When all the flat surfaces 226 of thedigit amount wheel means 91 through 98 are aligned with the print line128, the

credit card 26 can be easily transferred over the said amount wheelmeans to the position shown in dashed outline 26.

What is claimed is:

1. In a computer access terminal having a keyboard means for enteringdata into said terminal, and an imprinting means for printing data on arecord medium inserted in said terminal in response to data entered onsaid keyboard means and an imprint signal from said terminal;

said imprinting means comprising:

a frame means for securing said imprinting means to said terminal;

a plurality of amount wheel means rotatably mounted in said frame meansfor representing a multi-digit number;

indexing means for each amount wheel means for incrementally indexingthe associated said amount wheel means one digit position relative to aprint line each time the indexing means is actuated so that each amountwheel means is successively indexed a predetermined number of times toeffect a predetermined number of digit positions of indexingcorresponding to an associated digit entered on said keyboard means; and

actuating means for each said indexing means to actuate each saidindexing means the associated said predetermined number of times uponthe occurrence of said imprint signal;

said indexing means for each said amount wheel means comprising:

teeth means having a plurality of teeth on each amount wheel means;

a pawl means having first and second ends, and means for mounting saidpawl means in said frame means at a point between its said first andsecond ends but close to said second end for pivotal movement betweenfirst and second positions relative to the associated said amount wheelmeans; and

a spring means;

the associated said actuating means, when energized,

being effective to pivot said pawl means to said second position againstthe bias of the associated said spring means to enable said second endof said pawl means to enter a space between two adjacent said teeth ofthe associated said amount wheel means to thereby enable said second endto partially index said associated amount wheel means one digit positionin an indexing direction upon said pawl means reaching said secondposition, and with said spring means being effective to pivot said pawlmeans to said first position to enable said first end to engage a nextsucceeding said tooth to rotate said amount wheel means in said indexingdirection to complete the indexing of said amount wheel means one digitposition as said pawl means is returned to said first position by theassociated said spring means upon each momentary energization of theassociated said actuating means;

each said amount wheel means having a lug on the periphery thereof, anda switch means cooperating with said lug to close said switch means whensaid lug contacts said switch means to thereby deactivate the associatedsaid actuating means to thereby align said amount wheel means in a homeposition with reference to said printing line prior to indexing eachsaid amount wheel means said predetermined number of times to effect apredetermined number of digit positions of indexing corresponding to anassociated digit entered on said keyboard means;

said teeth on each said amount wheel means being arranged on a sidethereof in the form of a gear and each tooth having straight sidesconverging in a point and with the sides of two adjacent teeth beingsubstantially perpendicular to each other;

each said pawl means being U-shaped with said first and second endsthereof being substantially parallel to each other and with said firstend being substantially parallel to and contacting one side of a toothon the associated said amount wheel means to align the associated saidamount wheel means in an aligned position with reference to saidprinting line;

each said amount wheel means having a plurality of digits around aportion of the periphery thereof and also having a flat portion on saidperiphery; said terminal having slot therein to guide a credit card oversaid plurality of amount wheel means; each said amount wheel meanshaving its associated flat portion aligned with said printing line whenin said home position to enable said credit card to be moved in saidslot over said plurality of amount wheel means when each said amountwheel means is in said home position; and

each said pawl means having a connection point located thereon betweenits associated first and second ends and being displaced from said pointat which said pawl means is pivotally mounted;

said indexing means for each said amount wheel means including linkmeans connecting each said pawl means at said connection point with itsassociated said actuating means. 2. The imprinting means as claimed inclaim 1 in which at least one of said actuating means is connecteddirectly to its associated pawl means at said connection point by saidlink means;

and in which at least one of said actuating means includes a leverhaving one end pivotally mounted in said frame means and the remainingend thereof pivotally joined to said connection point of the associatedsaid pawl means by the associated said link means, and a solenoid whoseoperating plunger is pivotally connected to said lever between the endsthereof;

and in which at least one of said actuating means includes a solenoidand an operating plunger and a first lever having one end pivotallymounted in said frame means with the remaining end of said first leverbeing pivotally joined to said connection point of the associated saidpawl means by the associated said link means, and further including asecond lever having one end pivotally mounted in said frame means andthe remaining end thereof having one end of a rod fixed thereto, withthe remaining end of said rod being fixed to said first lever betweenthe ends thereof, and with said operating plunger being pivotally joinedto said second lever

1. In a computer access terminal having a keyboard means for enteringdata into said terminal, and an imprinting means for printing data on arecord medium inserted in said terminal in response to data entered onsaid keyboard means and an imprint signal from said terminal; saidimprinting means comprising: a frame means for securing said imprintingmeans to said terminal; a plurality of amount wheel means rotatablymounted in said frame means for representing a multi-digit number;indexing means for each amount wheel means for incrementally indexingthe associated said amount wheel means one digit position relative to aprint line each time the indexing means is actuated so that each amountwheel means is successively indexed a predetermined number of times toeffect a predetermined number of digit positions of indexingcorresponding to an associated digit entered on said keyboard means; andactuating means for each said indexing means to actuate each saidindexing means the associated said predetermined number of times uponthe occurrence of said imprint signal; said indexing means for each saidamount wheel means comprising: teeth means having a plurality of teethon each amount wheel means; a pawl means having first and second ends,and means for mounting said pawl means in said frame means at a pointbetween its said first and second ends but close to said second end forpivotal movement between first and second positions relative to theassociated said amount wheel means; and a spring means; the associatedsaid actuating means, when energized, being effective to pivot said pawlmeans to said second position against the bias of the associated saidspring means to enable said second end of said pawl means to enter aspace between two adjacent said teeth of the associated said amountwheel means to thereby enable said second end to partially index saidassociated amount wheel means one digit position in an indexingdirection upon said pawl means reaching said second position, and withsaid spring means being effective to pivot said pawl means to said firstposition to enable said first end to engage a next succeeding said toothto rotate said amount wheel means in said indexing direction to completethe indexing of said amount wheel means one digit position as said pawlmeans is returned to said first position by the associated said springmeans upon each momentary energization of the associated said actuatingmeans; each said amount wheel means having a lug on the peripherythereof, and a switch means cooperating with said lug to close saidswitch means when said lug contacts said switch means to therebydeactivate the associated said actuating means to thereby align saidamount wheel means in a home position with reference to said printingline prior to indexing each said amount wheel means said predeterminednumber of times to effect a predetermined number of digit positions ofindexing corresponding to an associated digit entered on said keyboardmeans; said teeth on each said amount wheel means being arranged on aside thereof in the form of a gear and each tooth having straight sidesconverging in a point and with the sides of two adjacent teeth beingsubstantially perpendicular to each other; each said pawl means beingU-shaped with said first and second ends thereof being substantiallyparallel to each other and with said first end being substantiallyparallel to and contacting one side of a tooth on the associated saiDamount wheel means to align the associated said amount wheel means in analigned position with reference to said printing line; each said amountwheel means having a plurality of digits around a portion of theperiphery thereof and also having a flat portion on said periphery; saidterminal having slot therein to guide a credit card over said pluralityof amount wheel means; each said amount wheel means having itsassociated flat portion aligned with said printing line when in saidhome position to enable said credit card to be moved in said slot oversaid plurality of amount wheel means when each said amount wheel meansis in said home position; and each said pawl means having a connectionpoint located thereon between its associated first and second ends andbeing displaced from said point at which said pawl means is pivotallymounted; said indexing means for each said amount wheel means includinglink means connecting each said pawl means at said connection point withits associated said actuating means.
 2. The imprinting means as claimedin claim 1 in which at least one of said actuating means is connecteddirectly to its associated pawl means at said connection point by saidlink means; and in which at least one of said actuating means includes alever having one end pivotally mounted in said frame means and theremaining end thereof pivotally joined to said connection point of theassociated said pawl means by the associated said link means, and asolenoid whose operating plunger is pivotally connected to said leverbetween the ends thereof; and in which at least one of said actuatingmeans includes a solenoid and an operating plunger and a first leverhaving one end pivotally mounted in said frame means with the remainingend of said first lever being pivotally joined to said connection pointof the associated said pawl means by the associated said link means, andfurther including a second lever having one end pivotally mounted insaid frame means and the remaining end thereof having one end of a rodfixed thereto, with the remaining end of said rod being fixed to saidfirst lever between the ends thereof, and with said operating plungerbeing pivotally joined to said second lever between the ends thereof.